Potential for certification of hunting operators to improve the conservation role of trophy hunting in Africa
P.A. Lindsey, R.R. Alexander, L.G. Frank, A. Mathieson, S.S. Romañach & R. Woodroffe
3. A survey of attitudes of hunting clients (n=150) and hunting
operators (n=127)
We found that clients are generally less willing to hunt under
conditions where conservation objectives might be compromised than
operators believed:
What factors are important to clients when purchasing hunts?
Figure 2. Willingness of clients to hunt under various conditions, and
operators perceptions of clients’ willingness to hunt (* where trophy
animals are released onto a property immediately prior to a hunt)
Importance of hunting as a conservation tool
Generates incentives for retention of wildlife as a land use over
~1,400,000 km2 in sub-Saharan Africa on private, state, communal
land
Generates gross revenues of >US$195,000,000 per year, including key
income for several community conservation schemes
Figure 1. Importance of various factors to clients when selecting a
hunting area, and operators perceptions of the importance of each
factor (0=low importance, 5=high importance)
Revenues generated in areas where alternative wildlife-based land uses
(e.g. ecotourism) are often not viable
Theoretically sustainable (typically 2-5% of male populations)
Generates revenues from and for threatened/endangered species
conservation (e.g. white rhinos in South Africa)
High retention of revenues by host countries relative to tourism
2. Problems associated with trophy hunting as a conservation tool
(n=179)
Most advertising relies heavily on depiction of trophies
In addition to quality trophies, clients desire large, wilderness hunting areas,
and to experience aspects of biodiversity not related to hunting
Few operators mention size of area, fencing status, wilderness qualities
to area or advertise features of biodiversity other than those related
to trophies
Large hunting areas (p=0.06), a wilderness feel to the hunting area
(p<0.01), and the potential to view cheetahs (p< 0.01) were more important
to clients than operators realize
Few operators advertise contributions to conservation or community
development (though virtually all claim to make some such
contributions)
Conversely, a guarantee of obtaining the trophy during the hunt was less
important to clients than operators thought (p=0.02).
Thus inexperienced clients are probably unable to select among
operators in terms of issues related to conservation
87% of clients would be more likely to buy a hunt if a proportion of
proceeds went to local communities
Ethical problems
Canned hunting, hunting animals released onto ranches immediately
prior to hunts, hunting from vehicles, using baits and spotlights, etc
5. Potential for certification to boost conservation role of trophy
hunting
Clients are concerned with experiencing wilderness and aspects of
biodiversity other than those related to trophies.
Social problems
Corruption; hard to ensure that communities benefit adequately,
etc
Biological problems
• Hard to regulate off-takes in huge remote areas
• Quotas often based on guesswork
• Hunting causes disruption of social systems for some species
• Some ranchers are intolerant of predators perceived to compete
for trophies (e.g. cheetahs and wild dogs)
• Others introduce exotic species or manipulate genetics to increase
diversity of trophies
4. A survey of internet advertisements by hunting operators
They are also less willing to hunt under conditions where conservation
objectives are compromised than operators think.
If hunting operators were scored in terms of their commitment to
conservation and community development, our data suggest that clients
would select for certified operators.
Next, we looked at the willingness of clients to hunt under conditions
potentially detrimental to conservation objectives
Certification could thus create incentives for operators to hunt in a
“conservation friendly” manner